Horizons

Episode 96's

- Khanza

Congo? I don't even want where the country is famous for its infighting and civil war. It's definitely somewhere on the African continent.

Will my favorite be sent to Africa? Again, AFRICA???

Barren land, dry kerontang. The scorching sun was stinging in his day, and the cold was piercing in his night. What if my beloved is sick? What if my beloved is short of food? Or the worst what if my favorite is estimated by a girl there? Nooooo..!

Papa, even though Kendra says you can't hate Papa, but Khanza can't help but hate Papa this time.

Why the Congo? There is only war, war, and war. Militia and rebel forces are seizing each other's territory. Here and there, the sound of gunfire and the whirring of bullets had become an everyday consumption. The desert country and black jewels that reap many casualties, finish the peace troops with cruel and cruel.

Every soldier sent to this place must have heard the story of the deadly valley called No Man's Land. The land was most feared because so many bandits were hiding. Since the mass slaughter of peacekeepers from India by militia rebels, the region has been unilaterally declared extremely dangerous by the UN Security Council. Whoever sets foot on this no-man's land, does not lose his own life. And guess what mission the troops sent to this country went on? Yeah, make sure this deadly valley doesn't come back to take its toll.

I don't want my Kendra to be made into a collision on the battlefield. In our own country there is more and more chaos. Why take care of the country of others who are even tens of hours away by commercial aircraft?

I don't know how long I've been crying. My eyes feel sore and swollen. Upon returning to the barracks, I immediately locked myself in a room. The doors and windows are closed. No one can enter. Tonight I want to be alone.

The clock was pointing at three in the morning. But the drowsiness did not come near. I searched for a phone that was sinking between piles of pillows. Type Papa's name in the contact search field and call him.

I'm diem.

"Khanza why call Papa malem-malem gini?" That's right, time here is three hours faster than in Java.

"Pa.. Khanza kangen Mama" my tone of voice trembled slightly holding back the cries.

Silent. No sound of response from the other end.

"Try if Mama still has Pa. There must be some dear Khanza. Comfort Khanza if you're sad. And always nenangin Khanza. Why does God hate Khanza. I took Mama, made Khanza never know how it feels to have Mama, and now want misahin Khanza same people who have made Khanza always happy."

A long breath sounded from the other end of the phone, followed by a distinctive voice of the two-star man, "Sa, if you want to get angry, just be angry with Papa."

"Khanza wants to be angry with Papa. But Kendra says you can't be angry with Papa. So who should Khanza be angry with?" My voice turned hoarse, and my tears flowing down could no longer be dammed. "Papa's pain. Khanza loves Papa, but Khanza also loves Kendra. Why the people Khanza loves can never be one. Mom and Dad separated. Now Kendra is with Khanza and Papa Pisahin. Why does Khanza always have to end up with Papa? Why isn't Khanza the same as Mama?"

"Hush, you don't just" tut.. The phone connection was cut off just before Papa could finish his sentence. After a split second, I who was still confused by what happened felt something vibrate. The bed beneath me seemed to be moving. Followed by lights, small tools on the top of the closet, and other items on the table. The longer the vibration is the more pronounced. And the moment I realized what was happening, the siren sound of danger signs rang out, followed by the screams of some people out there running in a hurry to save themselves. "Earthquake..!"